Strong Shooting, Board Play Lifts Women’s Basketball

AURORA, N.Y. – Four different players reached double-digit point totals for the Wells College women's basketball team en route to a 75-61 victory over the Fighting Tigers of SUNY Cobleskill Saturday afternoon at the Frances Tarlton Farenthold Athletic Wing. With the win, the Express even their overall record at 4-4 on the year while improving to 2-1 in North Eastern Athletic Conference play.  The Fighting Tigers dip to 1-6 on the year and to 1-2 in league play.

Senior Ashley Roser (Taberg, N.Y.) recorded her 22nd double-double dating back to last season, scoring 21 total points and pulling down 12 rebounds. She also racked up three assists and posted four blocks for Wells. Junior Kaitlynne Knapp (Port Byron, N.Y.) ranked second with 14 total points, chipping in a team-best five blocks alongside seven rebounds.

Junior Cassie Smythe (Eden, N.Y.) and senior Theresa Hernandez (Dewitt, N.Y.) each scored 12 points. Smythe poured home four three-point baskets while Hernandez racked up a career-best seven assists, tying a program record. As a team, the Express recorded 22 assists in the game, tying a program record. Wells last picked up 22 assists on Jan. 26, 2013, a 74-60 victory over SUNY Cobleskill at home.

The Fighting Tigers opened up a 4-0 lead within the game's first minute, using layups from Shelby Preston and Tracee Schiebel to build an early cushion. The Express rebounded to knot the score at four apiece, using a jumper from Lindsay Achzet (Johnstown, N.Y.) and a layup from Roser with 17:12 remaining in the first half. After trading baskets, the Express took the lead for good with a Roser layup with 16:13 left in the first stanza.

Wells carried a 10 point lead into the half after building a 37-27 advantage over the Fighting Tigers through the first 20 minutes.  Wells held the edge in second chance points with 11 while the team's bench also chipped in 11 points in the first half. The Express also bombed four first half three-point field goals, shooting at a 57.1% clip (4-for-7) while the guests were 0-for-5 from the perimeter.

The Express shot a blistering 51.7% from the floor in the second half, adding two additional three-pointers alongside 15 total second half field goals. Wells built a 17 point second half lead only 4:28 into the second half, maintaining the same margin near the midpoint of the stanza. The Express eventually settled for a 14 point margin of victory, allowing only two points to SUNY Cobleskill in the game's final 2:27 of play.

SUNY Cobleskill was led by Kady Porterfield's 16 total points. Her seven rebounds trailed only Preston, her team's lead with 13 boards. Porterfield also notched three steals in the losing effort while Kaena Davenport assisted five Fighting Tiger baskets.

Wells returns to action Sunday, Jan. 5 as they travel to Canton, N.Y. to face the Kangaroos of SUNY Canton in a 3:00 p.m. tilt.

Photo courtesy of John Miller of http://www.AuburnRunners.com